What comes to mind...

My husband left our camera at school this last week and there have been several occasions that I have wanted to snap a few photos and make a blog post but couldn't. For instance, I really wish I could have snapped a photo of Kailtyn reading to Adam on the couch. She has recently taken up this hobby of pretending to be "mommy" and so she read all the books just like I do. It is cute most of the time but when she copies some of the things I'm not so proud of, I tend to put a stop to it! I also would have wanted to post a picture of the kids at the zoo. We have LOVED the zoo here, I have a lot of pictures of them when they are little at the zoo but wanted to capture how grown up they have become, it was our first year going without a stroller....It's so liberating to not have to take a stroller everywhere you go but it does kinda stink not to have something to put your purse in or to hold your drink. I also would have wanted to take a picture of us going to our favorite neighbors baseball game. Robbin and her son Corey have been our family while here in Iowa. Corey is pretty much the best adopted uncle Kaitlyn and Adam could ask for and Robbin is not old enough to be my mom but she makes me feel comforted like my Mom and she is so sweet to the kids. They always go to her door and ask to look in her "treat" cupboard. They run down to her car when she gets home from work and they ask if they can help pull her car into the garage. Kaitlyn and Adam love them so much, it will be so hard to leave them. I also would have wanted to take pictures of our super fun Memorial Day Camping trip we went to on Friday Night. We packed it all up and headed just a few miles out of town to the local campgrounds and settled in with a few other families. We hiked a little, roasted a little and looked at the stars. Fortunately Kaitlyn and Adam LOVE camping and we will hopefully have many more wonderful camping trips as a family. The next morning we woke up to some friends making us biscuits and gravy and it was oh so delicious. We headed down to the pool and the kids splashed a little and than we all headed home completely drained. We had so much fun. It was nice this year not to have to guard the kids from the fire, they understood it was dangerous and it was so relaxing to just watch them enjoy the outdoors and get a few minutes of peace myself under the trees and by the fire. I looked at the calendar tonight and realized we have a little over a week left in this trimester. If things go as planned we will be leaving after the next trimester. It baffles me to think about being done here. Looking back it seems like it was so short of a time but when we were in the midst of it, it seemed like it took forever and to be honest I didn't think I was going to make it. Joseph bless his heart has always done his part well but sadly I am the weaker link, our time here in Iowa has brought out the good and the bad in me. I have a lot to be proud of and some things I'm not so proud of but I've learned a lot and know I will learn more in the next few months as we make some BIG decisions and close this part of our lives. I have a TO DO list sitting next to me, it's LONG...I hope this week is productive and that I get my camera back so I can post as the week goes on with photos to go along with the moments I want to capture...

Little Underwear Bum

I am lovin Mr. Adam's Underwear Bum! It has got to be refreshing for them to get those diapers off and the undies on. Freedom! I'm off to pinch those cheeks...so so cute!

Homemaker or something like that....

My life is at this weird crossroads right now....

I recently passed on my job at the Chiropractic Office because of time conflicts with Joseph's schooling and also in anticipation of being done here in Iowa fairly soon. I LOVED my job and the people I met through it.....the patients, the Doctors..Everyone! It feels strange and a little sad not to have that responsibility anymore.

I also am passing the ICAA President baton on. It's been a year since the current Board took the reigns and I have definitely LOVED being a part of such an awesome organization and being amongst such an amazing group of woman. We accomplished a lot this year and know the next board will do the same! A lot of energy and passion went into this role and I LOVED every minute of it.

I am just about to finish a rather large project of putting together a Student Planner that the ICAA has traditionally done for the bookstore to sell. It was a lengthy project but has been a really great experience. We send it to the printers on Monday and it feels so rewarding! It has taken up a lot of my time and energy.

We are the next family in our ward to graduate from Palmer and that feels so strange. We are so close to being finished. Our time here feels like a big blur and I am so anxious about the future and what it holds.

Somehow my little babies grew up, I am on the brink of being done completely with diapers and have discovered I am in denial about how grown up they really have become. I gotta start challenging them more and stop zipping up their jackets for them;)

So, all of these huge responsibilities that have taken up my time and energy over the past few years are all coming to an end and now I need to refocus it all into something. My Goal is to put it all into "My Kids" and "The Home". I have always tended to feel totally inadequate when it comes to motherhood and homemaking. I am thinking I need to develop some really good skills and habits...so if you know of some good websites, blogs, forums or even just have some plain old good ideas that I can get passionate about send them my way. I am going to have a lot of time on my hands here soon...I gotta find things to fill it with.

So here's to being a Full Time Stay at Home don't get involved in too much Momma!
Yeah!

Two 3 Year Olds! The Making of a Tradition..

First it was two 1 year olds
then...two 2 year olds...
now it's...two 3 year olds!
It's one of the fun things about having kids so close in age, ours are the same age for a month and a half. In a way it makes it easier because when people ask how old your kids are, which all parents know happens A LOT!!!!, you can simply say, "they are 3". But, then again...that creates a whole series of other questions because they are obviously not twins and everyone has to know how "that happened". AWKWARD!!!!! Seriously though, having the kids be so close together was one of the best surprise gifts of my life. Kaitlyn and Adam are the perfect duo, I can't imagine having one with out the other. Today we celebrated Adam's THIRD BIRTHDAY! He has grown into such a handsome boy, he is my Little Man. We had a wonderful day and Loved all his presents. Kaitlyn was the perfect older sister, she let Adam have all the attention and even kept secret what all his presents were as she helped me wrap them while he napped:)

So, seeing as every year for the rest of their lives they will have a month and a half of being the same age, I wanted to start a tradition where we do something as a family during this time to recognize the uniqueness of their relationship. So I decided we would do a family camping trip. The Irish Twin Camping Trip! I am really hoping that even when they get older and have their own families they will continue the tradition and do a camping trip together during this special time!

This last weekend, Joseph had a few days free from school, and my awesome friend Nathalie suggested I meet up with her in Arizona for the weekend, of course I thought that was a great idea. Flying on a buddy pass is not the most glamorous way to fly, except when you luck out and get first class (which I did twice...YES!) but I was ready for a few days off from "mommy hood" and decided to take my chances. I had so much fun, was able to meet up with some good 'ol friends, relax in the sunshine and do a little shopping...and eating. I really like Arizona it is a great place to visit. After getting back I came up with the most brilliant idea EVER! I told Joseph about it and he "agreed"...that every year as a tradition when our kids turn the same age I should take a vacation by myself!!!! YEAH!!! So where I will go next year will be in the works, I'm thinking it will be to visit a old friend each time, so if you are looking for a house guest next year around this time, give me a shout out:) You think I'm joking but I'm not!!!!!!

Here are some pics of the last few days......


Sprinkles Cupcakes..My Worst Enemy;)

The Magnificent "Sister Cundiff"...One of my favorite Mission Friends!

And her Cute Girls!

The adorable Miss Paige...Nathalie's Baby

Just after getting Pedi's, which are way better in Arizona than in Iowa...by FAR!!!!

Sister Wilcox..this is for you..he did this all on his own!

Adam's Favorite place is the airport so we swung by their to pick up my lost bag and also so we could hang out for his Birthday..he got "Winged"!

They just started dancing under the airplane, it was precious!


This is my....I Get a Vacation Every Year Right Honey?!..Look

Birthday Cupcake!



Adam LOVES salad, he is definately all Shepro!


This is the infamous apron I bought for Mother's Day...It makes all motherly and house duties way more glamorous and fun!!!

Shake Your Booty

Whenever Kaitlyn is asked a question she does not want to answer or if she is put on the spot she always resorts to saying..."shake your booty". Not sure where it came from until the other day when the kids were dancing in the living room and I said with out thinking..."Go Kaitlyn, Shake your Booty!". Well, as you can imagine my shock, when I realized I was the one who taught her to say that. Who knows what other little wonderful tidbits of joy I teach my children to do that is a little innapropriate.

On a side note, of all the things Joseph could have fed our child with the stomach flu, he chose red...that's right...red spaghetti. It has not found it's way up yet but when it does he really better hope it makes it into a bowl or toilet or else he is going to be in a whole world of hurt. Who does that? Seriously!

Rain Boots

My kids get soooo excited when it rains because they know it means they need to get out their rain boots and umbrellas. Too bad we were in a hurry to take Daddy to school because they really wanted to spend some time stompin in the puddles. We had a few minutes though and they stomped and watched the water run down the cracks in the parking lot. Something about watching them do this sparks a memory from my childhood at my Potter Street house in Eugene Oregon. I have fond memories of making paper boats and sending them down the rushing rain water out front in the street gutters. I also remember picking all the moss out from inbetween the cracks in the sidewalks. Kids do this, they pull memories out of you that you never thought possible. The other day Kaitlyn was making a witches brew with leaves and mud and rocks in the water bucket out back. I thought to myself...i made quite a disgusting witches brew in my time if I remember correctly:)

At Target this morning, while I was distracted looking through the fresh basil trying to find the most "fresh" bunch, Adam swiped a whole green pepper. I did not notice until moving on to the next isle and sure enough Adam was chompin on the green pepper like it was an apple. I resisted the urge to scold and just smiled and said, "were you hungry Adam?"...he looked up with a smile took a bite of his green pepper and said "mmhmmm". He just now finished the whole pepper and looks very satisfied. Kaitlyn tried some and was not impressed as you can tell in this picture. Oh Adam...you are my cute little green pepper!

This Evening

We got a free pizza and watched a silly kids movie with the kids, to celebrate Joseph passing his second set of National Boards! My favorite thing in pretty much all the world is when my kids offer an "I Love you" without me first saying it. Tonight when I put Katie down to bed I went over to her bedside and she reached her arms up and smiled a big smile and said sincerely, "I love you" as we squeezed a nice big hug. mmmmmmmm so so so yummy those moments!

Hats off to my reliable husband who has never failed us or his tests. We LOVE YOU DADDY!

This Morning

Instead of getting fustrated that Adam always climbs in the back of the car and fools around when we are trying to get out...I climbed in with him and we played for a bit. He drove me to the grocery store and to get a drink. He also helped me send my packages at the post office this morning. What an awesome helper and buddy to have around!

Up too Late..

Reading old blog entries, I actually read all of my blog entries. Wow! Blog's are awesome. I did not realize that going back could be so much fun, and so eye opening. Time here in Iowa has become so blurry I can't remember the who, what's and when's. It was fun to have the memories saved. I feel so motivated now to keep posting and to do it more often. So, for the sake of blogging, here is the bitter truth about today...

It started out really good, well it could have been better if I had ran but Joseph had to be at school early and running with the stroller is not my cup of tea so I opted out on the running thing and headed straight to the shower. Mostly because I was super greasy from the day before when I was outside playing with the kids allllll dayyyy! We had a tub full of water out with all the bath toys and Kaitlyn had a few friends over. The kids got wet but it was so warm that within half hour the clothes were dry again it was nice. Kaitlyn made special watering holes for her horses and set them up all perfect. She kept turning on the hose and I was trying my hardest to practice my "positive parenting" techniques and not tell her "what to do" but help her decide it wasnt a good idea to "waste water":) It required creativity and a lot of patience but she got it and I didnt have to shout orders at her, which I HATE doing and hope this positive parenting thingy will help with. So yes I was greasy from the busy day before and was ready this morning for a nice shower. Got all gussied up and took Joseph to school. Kaitlyn left without her hair getting combed which made me feel a little uneasy but hey, I'm trying to get stress out of my life so I let it go. Later we went to the zoo, it finally opened after being "under construction" and closed for forever. The zoo was just not the same...it was like a woman at a salon..getting fixed up but not quite ready to be seen...which on a side note..don't ya hate looking in the mirror when your getting your hair done, something about the lighting in the salon's or maybe it's the tin foil in the hair or something, I always look away from the mirror cause it just bugs me...The zoo was fun, the friends we went with were fun, and the weather was perfect..oh and we got to see two turtle's mating. The kids had no idea but Tamara and I were laughing pretty hard. It was funny...beautiful...but so so funny!
After the zoo the day progressively got worse. I usually am not a sit around type person, it makes me feel anxious to be lazy...but today after getting home my plan was to clean. Ok so what did I do? I sat around and was lazy and low and behold I got so cranky. I get so anxious when things are not getting done and than to top it off my car dealership called me back about our non existent car warranty and gave me some blah blah blah blah answer which totally set me off. Whew, it was a bad moment for me. I felt a little out of body like I was going to like have to do a count off from 10 and at the end I was going to explode like a rocket up to the moon. So what does any girl do in this time of craziness...I called my husband. Yep and blew off some steam on him and he brought me back to reality and made me laugh and sigh...now I'm here typing this blog which no one will find intersting but me...ten years down the road when I get reflective again and read all my blog posts. Hello me, remember that day you about lost your mind and than got it back. Yeah that was great! I have resolved to care less and do more. That is do more of the things I love and that make me feel good inside and less of the stuff I feel like I have to do but don't! Tomorow I'm sending out two packages filled with crafty goodies I made for my Mom and Sister..now that is what I call feel good stuff:) Yeah!

Sayin Goodbye..Again...

Kaitlyn has had the most wonderful friend live just two doors down from us, but today our neighbors moving van came. I think our family is starting to get a little worn out from having to say goodbye to friends, specially those who are a part of your every day life. Kaitlyn's friend is always outside willing and ready to play. She has the most creative mind and is such a great example to Kaitlyn. Because her friend is a little older than her, Kaitlyn learns a lot from her and looks up to her in such a dear sweet way. I hate to say it, but some days I had to close the blinds just because I knew if Kaitlyn saw her friend outside, she would beg and plead and cry and beg some more to go out and play when I just couldn't. Some days I wish we could spend every waking moment outside but alas, I'm cursed with the clean gene and so have a really hard time going outside until the house is clean. It can be very fustrating to have this gene specially when you have two toddlers:) Anyways, back to Kaitlyn's friend. Today when I explained to Kaitlyn that her friend was moving, her little mouth started to frown and tears started to swell. This was like real true emotion I was dealing with here. Not a tantrum or a boo boo crying but real "I'm a girl and have emotions" tears. It was terrifying but extremely satisfying at the same time...scarry because, I knew I was entering into a whole new realm of parenting that I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with but also wonderful because my daughter is growing up into a beautiful young lady. I love her so much and am so proud of who she is becoming. She is so full of love and excitment, which is why I loved to watch her play with her friend. Her little character came out when she was with her friend and it was beautiful to watch. We are going to miss our neighbors, they were such a big part of the neighborhood, it won't be the same here without them. A lot less interesting for sure! We miss all our friends who have left Iowa and Palmer. We feel like we are next and thank goodness cause it's about dang time:) No really we just want to stop having to say goodbye and start having to say hello again for a while. I really hope someday soon we can settle down and nestle ourselves into a amazing community, throw down some roots...ya know...YEAH. I'm liking the sound of that.

Kaitlyn's First Soccer Game

We got lucky and were able to add Kaitlyn to a soccer team very last minute, like the day of the first game! I was unaware that they had teams for kids her age, but after watching Katie play, she is definately ready. She had so much fun and it was so fulfilling to see her play my most favorite sport of all time! I've learned one of the negatives of having our kids so close is that Adam has to watch Kaitlyn do all the fun stuff cause he's "not quite old enough". He get's fustrated when he can't do what his Big Sister is doing. Poor guy, I'm gonna have to make sure he has his turn and that I make just as big a deal about him as her:)

Easter pics...I am NOT a photographer AT ALL just FYI, and I'm not sure why I love to put Katie in black..but I do.





We had a great Easter and have been enjoying the Spring Weather....Got out our jogger and am ready to use it...oh and I'm down 17 lbs, Easter without candy was a little rough but the more you resist the stronger you get..so here's to no sugar!

Coming out of Hybernation

As the sun peeks it's rays down on the freshly uncovered green grass and the last pile of snow melts, I think to myself we made it through one more winter here in Iowa! Woo Hoo!!!! Lots of snow and cold chilly weather later we are all doing well and are excited to get outside and enjoy nature and get some Vitamin D. We recently went on a trip to Oregon. My famiy suggested we come out for a few weeks as they sensed my winter dillusions. We were fortunate enough to be able to drop the kids off with family and head to Hawaii for a week just Joseph and I. Joseph was so excited to go back to see his old Mission Stomping Grounds and I was glad to share it with him. We got to Hawaii the day before the recent Tsunami warning, we woke up to a bombard of text messages asking if we were ok. We had no idea what was going on so we turned on the news and sure enough the beaches were closed, so we made a quick decision to head out of Waikiki and head towards the center of the island. The day was actually sunny and nice and we enjoyed seeing the countryside of Oahu. By the end of the day we were back on the beach and we were able to enjoy beach time the rest of our trip. We got lucky and got a free upgrade to a Convertable Mustang so cruisin around the island was the favorite part of the trip for me. We had plenty of shaved ice, puka dogs and sushi. I also loved my morning lox and bagel, so so yummy. I just love Hawaii, it is my favorite place I've ever been. I love everything about it and want to go back again soon. It was nice to get to know my husband again after 2 years of really hard work at school we had a lot of catching up to do. Once we got back from Hawaii Joseph quickly flew back to Iowa to start studying for Boards which he just finished up...whew! and the kids and I stayed in Oregon for two weeks and hung out with family and friends. My kids loved playing with their 11 nieces and nephews and also their Poppy and Grandma and Aunt's and Uncles. They ask if we can see them every morning now. My two brothers had their new babies blessed together and we had a huge family celebration afterwards. It's crazy now when we all get together, the house is full and the kids are all over the place playing. It is so awesome! I love my family and can't wait to be closer to them someday. I flew home by myself with the two kids which was actually not hard at all. They both did great on the plane, to be honest they are better flyers than myself. I'm a big ball of anxiety when I fly. We are home now, I put up summer flowers all around the house to cheer it up a bit and am looking forward to the next couple of months as we are working on getting some concrete plans for the future. We are done here this coming February so the clock is a tickin. We know the "real world" will be our next adventure and that it will not be easy but we are ready to be done with the school and on to the next challenge. Peace and Love to you all!!! Enjoy the pics:)

Snowmen

My lil' Sista is here from Oregon and Joseph's Bro is here from Virginia. We had a little craft day yesturday and made these awesome snowmen with the kids. The boys were very creative with theirs. Notice Joseph's has dreads or something and David's is covered with sequins, kind of a picasso if you may. Sunday we put the kids in their Christmas Outfits that I've been holding on to for months. I loved the plaid as we have a lot of Scottish ties. We recently went and saw xmas lights, one house had a show that went to music on the radio it was pretty awesome.

WhoVille

It's WhoVille at our house today. Crazy hair and Christmas cheer:) I also found this sticker faced child after doing some baking. She was so excited about the stickers until we had to pull them off....ouch! Now check out this video of Kaitlyn, Adam and David their Uncle (Joseph's bro) sledding. Adam was all about it...no fears in all the world. Kaitlyn was not as excited. Watch at the end when Adam just hops on the sled and GOOOOOOOOOOOOO's! Yeah Adam.

Will post again soon.

After Turkey Day Ramblings

Having family in town is bitter sweet. It's bitter because you know at some point in the very near future they have to leave and that you won't see them for a while but sweet because it is good to be able to share your life with them. I miss my extended family a lot. I guess I am just one of those people that finds tremendous strength from my parents and brothers and sisters. I love my family and am so grateful for them. We look past each others weaknesses and shortcomings and just appreciate the love that we have developed through time and experience. We have had so many challenges as a family...growing up in our household was not all sunshine and roses...but despite it all we love each other and forgive one another for any mistakes we have made and for our weaknesses. I can only imagine the mistakes I am making with my own kids...I am not the perfect parent and have a lot of weaknesses. I just hope that they can learn as much as I have from my own family of love and forgiveness and that they can desire to share their life with me and find strength from that relationship. We had a wondeful Thanksgiving with my parents and are looking forward to Christmas. Happy Holidays and may they be filled with family and love and lots and lots and lots of yummy goodness.

Pretty Much THE Perfect Day!

Woke up..cuddled hubby and kids...love to cuddle exspecially in the winter!

Husband gave me a healthy breakfast of apples and a Nutrigrain Bar with a glass of water...not how I usually start out my day but I gave it a try:)

House was clean when we woke up...oh so nice!

Went to the Farmer's Market to pick out some Pumpkins, gords and some Veggies. It was oh so bitter cold so we ran quickly back to the car and will probably not be back to the market till next year. (I feel bad for the vendors who are toughing it out for 3 more weeks...yikes it will be cold)



Headed to our new Burlington Coat Factory, almost bought something but the line was way too long to wait for a leotard and some headbands...no not for me, for Kaitlyn. On our way out realized it had started snowing. At this point I was getting kinda anxious b/c it is not even November yet but still had a childish grin on my face b/c well, it was snowing.

Decided to get Kaitlyn and Adam some boots, hats, mittens etc for winter at Target. Found what we needed and hustled to Sam's Club. Did some good food shoppin and some food testing:) They had some really yummy samples today. I usually don't try much at stores but today I was particularly pleased.

Headed home for a good ol' nippy nap nappety nap with my girl Kaitlyn. Naps with Kaitlyn are my favorite time of day!

Woke up to a happy husband who had 2 hours to himself and his playstation that he never gets to play.

Made our pumpkin faces with the kids and put them on the back porch. We are not quite ready to venture to carving pumpkins with two toddlers. Knives and goo and mess...they would love it but one more year..than we will try it! Plus they are cute this way too right?!






Put in a yummy meatloaf and watched "Polar Express" with the fam. It was so nice we all cuddled on the couch and watched our winter movie. Perfect way to invite the Holiday Season:)



Invited a neighbor over for meatloaf and gobbled it up. Put the kids to bed, who went very willingly. Adam even did his first poop on the potty before bed, it's a sweet victorious feeling when your kids start going bathroom on the potty. Don't know why, but it just feels really good.

Had our neighbor watch the kids while we went to Wal'Mart to finish off our food shopping. It's not very often Joseph and I get to food shop together. It always is a treat. I know that is a little sad but it's true.

Finished the ward bulletin, even printed it out so now in the morning I won't be cursing at the printer b/c it's taking too long as we are always running a little late for church:)

Bed time and it's 10:30....the perfect time to go to bed.

Good night!

Not procrastination just VERY busy!!!!!

So do not be decieved I do read your blogs I just never have time to post on my own once I've read all of yours:) I just realized it's been 3 months and oh my goodness it's been a crazy three months. I will give a recap and than post some pics. To spare you all from my dialogue I will simply do a bulleted list of what we've done..if you want more details just ask...here we go...

1) Drove 4000 miles to Oregon and Back
2) When to the Oregon Coast..had a BLAST
3) Saw over 20 Chiropractic Clinics, got some good ideas
4) Spent some Time with Family...Miss them a lot
5) Went to Temple Square and hung out with Sis In Law Alisyn...SOO FUN!
6) Lots and Lots of playing outside..had a super good summer season
7) Joseph's parents came for Palmer Homecoming, was good to see them
8) Drove back to Utah for Joseph's brother's wedding saw all of Joseph's family it was awesome! They had not all been together in a VERY long time
9) Kaitlyn turned 3---I LOVE 3! 3 is good!
10) Took binkies away from both kids....ended up giving them back on our road trip to Utah when Joseph wanted to drive straight through from Iowa to Utah for the wedding. Yeah, it was crazy. Kids actually like traveling but that was a bit much.
11) Took binkies away again but ended up giving Adam back his at night...poor guy loves his binky. Kaitlyn claims "binkies are NOT for babies" but does not protest for long as she knows as with most protests in our country they get little accomplished:)
12) Potty trained Kaitlyn she is currently wearing Minnie Mouse Undies although a friend just bought her leopard print ones...Joseph refuses to let her wear them. Nathalie, I told ya so.
13) Adam is the epitomy of the Terrible Two's...textbook tatrum thrower and refuses to use words to express himself. We are working on it although I must say he throws a pretty good tantrum. Very impressive!
14) Been camping, Adam got stung twice by a wasp. He was upet for about 10 minutes then wanted to go right back to the same playground infested with the wasps to play. Did some hiking, remembered how much I LOVE hiking. Miss those Oreogn woods.
15) Went to Chicago with some friends, had so much fun. Eat at the Grand Lux Cafe, soooo yummy!
16) Craft-Craft-Craft
17) Bought a huge flat screen T.V. one of Joseph's only purchases since we have been married. He claims,"You would have spent the money anyways so I went ahead and spent it before you could". He is probably right.
18) Have completely stopped exercising but plan to get right back on track tommorow...yeah right...
19) Going to start a diet soon...like when pigs fly.
20) Have been trying to give my kids choices instead of telling them what to do, it requires a lot of creativity and thinking on your toes. Not a master of it yet but plan to be.
21) Been planning a trip to anywhere for forever and really want to go but apparently I have two kids and a husband who is too busy.
22) Been holding my friends new baby, Paige, she is adorable! I actually got to see her be born. Not on purpose, it just kind of worked out that way. So I pretty much consider myself her auntie. Which is good because I'm not ready for another of my own yet but I still get my baby fix. PERFECT!
23) Joseph starts clinic in November, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tute tute! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. I am not naive enough to not know although that once school is done it only presents a whole new world of challenges and hard work. If it's not hard..it's not worth it...that is what I keep telling myself at least.
24) Kaitlyn started pre-school...She LOVES it and the teachers are awesome!
25) So looking forward to fall and for my parents to come visit.
26) Miss my family and friends in Oregon and everywhere across the world...a lot!
27) Some of my good friends from here are finishing school and I am really sad to see all of them leave.
28) Got released from Nursery and am now the ward librarian. Can I get a woop woop.
29) Almost went to Hawaii but the flights were completely full and we were flying on passes...makes me want to cry.
30) Is anyone else so tired of finishing folding and putting away laundry only to find that sitting in the hampers are 3 more loads. The job never ends...
31) That is how old I am....curse those gray hairs they just keep coming.....Sigh, not sure if I'll ever feel my age again cause last I remembered I was 25

Well hope you laughed at least once. Give me a shout out...which means leave me a message....word to your mama! Peace out Pony... (those are Kaitlyn's two favorite things to say when saying goodbye..well that and giving knuckles)

Two Two Year Olds

That's right!  My kids are both two right now.  Every Year from May 18th to July 5th my kids will be the same age.  It's kind of crazy.  As we speak they are chasing eachother around the house wrestling and playing.  I hope they will be best friends, for the most part they already are besides the occasional bite or bump.  We are gearing up for summer here in Iowa.  We are traveling home to Oregon and will be there for most of our break.  We have had lots of fun this spring.  Adam celebrated his 2nd birthday at a pizza place with a play gym that has lots of tubes, tunnels and slides.  He is getting to be such a big boy and is now talking a lot. Kaitlyn is our little princess.  She is so much fun and has so much sass.  She has lots of good friends and loves to play with them all the time.  She is so lucky to be surrounded by so many cool kids her age.  We have been going to the zoo weekly and enjoying the moderate weather we've been blessed with.  Low humidity and heat and a lot less severe weather than last year.  Joseph is finishing his 5th trimester at school.  He is doing really well and is looking forward to what this next year will bring.  He took his part one Board Exams and passed with flying colors..wooohoo!  Only 3 more parts to go:)  I am a crafting maniach.  I currently have 8 million projects going.  I am almost done with our bedroom wall hangings, been making bows like crazy, nursing covers, Table runners, cards, blankets and all other kinds of fun crafty type stuff.  I am loving being involved on campus with a group of partners and spouses of the students.  I am going to be the President of the Club this next year and am excited to do some fun outreach type things for the community and to be more involved with Joseph's school.  My best friend Nathalie is almost due with her first baby...I am so excited for her and am looking forward to helping her through the first few months of motherhood.  I think I'll get my new baby fix from her baby and than I can wait a little longer to have another of my own.  I am still a little worn out from having the first two so close.  Here are some pics from the last couple of months....enjoy!